BRIDGE DAMAGED IN TRAIN DERAILMENT BEING FIXED

Repairs to a bridge near Navasota, that was damaged last month in a train derailment should be finished next month.
The Texas Department of Transportation said Tuesday that it had hired Lufkin based L.C. Jordan and Son to replace a beam that developed four visible cracks after the derailment. They will also add stability to the other columns on the railroad overpass with more concrete.
Crews began work on the bridge Monday and the $345,530 project should be finished emergency repair by mid-August if weather permits.

A derailed Union Pacific train car struck the bridge column on June 23rd, shutting down the highway in both directions for more than six hours as transportation officials assessed the damage and crews cleaned up hazardous materials spilled in the accident. There were no injuries in this derailment.
Union Pacific officials said the eight car derailment was caused by a broken rail, which was fixed in the early morning hours the next day.
The train track had been inspected just two days before the derailment.